My psychiatrist likes to keep my anxiety at a nice realistic level. We can medicate me to the point where I won’t be afraid to walk across the interstate, but that’s dangerous. Instead “I’m able to function and yes I’m still very scared of the climate catastrophe, but it’s because it was the hottest summer on record and the experts are terrified” is where we’re happy. Panic attacks do no good, but numbing yourself completely hurts too.
So for depression caused by circumstances, the goal is to work on putting yourself in a position where you’re most capable of doing good for yourself. And if it’s completely inescapable like life in prison I believe the goal would be to seek peace with your circumstances, whereas if it’s long temporary like turns out you hate parenthood, the goal will be more like developing the endurance to last that long
Man, I posted my original comment as like a diarrhea of mind moment. But, every answer so far has been pretty good. Like my original comment is applicable to me. But it’s really cool that there have been so many good answers.
My psychiatrist likes to keep my anxiety at a nice realistic level. We can medicate me to the point where I won’t be afraid to walk across the interstate, but that’s dangerous. Instead “I’m able to function and yes I’m still very scared of the climate catastrophe, but it’s because it was the hottest summer on record and the experts are terrified” is where we’re happy. Panic attacks do no good, but numbing yourself completely hurts too.
So for depression caused by circumstances, the goal is to work on putting yourself in a position where you’re most capable of doing good for yourself. And if it’s completely inescapable like life in prison I believe the goal would be to seek peace with your circumstances, whereas if it’s long temporary like turns out you hate parenthood, the goal will be more like developing the endurance to last that long
Man, I posted my original comment as like a diarrhea of mind moment. But, every answer so far has been pretty good. Like my original comment is applicable to me. But it’s really cool that there have been so many good answers.